Executive Orders Targeting Law Firms Struck Down
Trump issued executive orders retaliating against law firms that represented his opponents — Perkins Coie, WilmerHale, Paul Weiss, and Jenner & Block. Over 500 law firms signed an amicus brief. Courts permanently struck the orders down.
Trump issued executive orders retaliating against specific law firms that had represented clients or causes he opposed. On March 6, 2025, Executive Order 14230 targeted Perkins Coie specifically — suspending security clearances, restricting building access, and directing agencies to terminate contracts — because the firm had been associated with Hillary Clinton's 2016 campaign.
Similar orders targeted WilmerHale, Paul Weiss, and Jenner & Block. The message was clear: represent the president's enemies and face government retaliation.
The legal community's response was extraordinary: over 500 law firms signed an amicus brief supporting Perkins Coie's lawsuit. On May 2, 2025, a federal judge permanently struck down the order, ruling it violated:
- The First Amendment (free speech and freedom of association)
- The Fifth Amendment (due process)
- The Sixth Amendment (right to counsel)
WilmerHale and Jenner & Block won similar permanent injunctions. The DOJ ultimately dropped its appeal in March 2026. The attempt to weaponize executive power against lawyers for representing unpopular clients struck at the foundations of the adversarial legal system.